Can Dogs Eat Fish?Is it Safe for a Dog to Eat Fish or Seafood

The question of whether a dog can be given fish is relevant for every owner who aspires to diversify the pet’s diet. Unequivocally answer it impossible, since some varieties are strictly prohibited, while others, on the contrary, are needed. In addition, the method of preparation of this tasty and healthy product is of great importance.

Benefits of Dog Eating Fish

Fish is a source of animal protein, vitamins A, B, D, G, minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iodine, etc.), amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids. It is an easily digestible product, and its energy value is higher than meat. Thus, we can safely say that fish is very useful for dogs, especially during a period of intensive growth.

Dog owners say that animals that regularly use fish improve their wool condition, their joints become stronger, their weight stabilizes. However, it is impossible to get involved in this product, otherwise the metabolism of the dog may develop urolithiasis, rickets.

The best option is 2-3 times a week, this will be quite enough. At the same time, the fish in the diet should not exceed 70% of the total number of protein products.

Veterinarians are advised to give preference to the salmon family (pink salmon, salmon, sockeye salmon, omul, whitefish), as well as pollock, catfish, haddock, whiting, river trout.

What fish cannot be given to Dog?

A huge danger to the body of the dog are aquatic inhabitants, which contain as part of thiaminase, which destroys vitamin B (thiamine):

Carp

Bream

Ide

Baltic herring

Sardine

Sardinella

Pike

If the fish is boiled for 20 minutes, the enzyme becomes inactive.

It is also forbidden to give fish containing trimethylamine oxide. The element is dangerous because by binding iron, it does not allow the body to absorb it. Iron deficiency anemia leads to infertility in bitches and lag in development in puppies.

The content of trimethylamine oxide is observed in:

cod

silver hake

pollock

capelin

whiting

If you still want to give the four-legged pet fish from the above list, then it is necessary to boil or add vitamins fortified with iron in food.

Fatty and salty fish, regardless of the variety, is very harmful for dogs, as they cause vomiting. However, a small piece of salted herring will be useful for bitches before estrus and during it. At night, herring cannot be given.

Care must be taken to the family of mackerel due to the content of histamine, formed by improper storage of the product. Since we cannot know in what conditions the product was stored in the warehouse, it is better not to give a pet mackerel.

Finally, there are poisonous fish that a dog should not be eaten under any circumstances, regardless of the method of preparation. These are hramulya, pufferfish, Balkhash marinka, etc. By the way, they are not so not so common goods on our shelves.

How to give fish to a Dog?

The most useful fish in its raw form. However, as mentioned earlier, some varieties contain trimethylamine oxide and thiaminase harmful to the body. Therefore, be careful not to harm the pet.

If the dog is small, then the fish is better not to cut into pieces, and scroll through a meat grinder and give in the form of minced meat. Head, bones, insides, scales, gills, fins, it is desirable to remove.

Never give your pet a canned food. They are excessively salty, fatty and contain preservatives and additives.

Fish sticks are a completely unnecessary product in the dog’s diet. They have nothing to do with fish, but they contain starch, dyes, soy and other harmful substances.

Many owners are afraid to give the dog lake and river fish because of worms. Yes, it can indeed be parasites, but this does not mean that it cannot be included in the diet. Of course, heat treatment is necessary. If the product is well frozen, it can also be used in food. Salt, use spices and seasonings cannot.

The optimum cooking time is 20 minutes. During this time, trimethylamine oxide and thiaminase will become inactive. However, if the time is exceeded, then all the beneficial substances will disappear.

There are dogs that are completely indifferent to fish. To feed them by force is not necessary. It is better to mix fish meal or fat into the feed.

Do I need seafood in the diet?

The question of whether you can feed the dog seafood, many dog ​​breeders seem ridiculous. This is an expensive pleasure that not everyone can afford, except those people who live on the coast and enjoy seafood at any time. But even in this case, do not abuse delicacies.

In addition, not all dogs perceive seafood with delight, although some dogs, for example, enjoy eating oysters. Restrictions on the use of seafood are not, with rare exceptions, but they should be given only in boiled form. If a dog eats raw shrimp, squid or oyster, it will inevitably have an upset stomach that will manifest itself in diarrhea.

Lobsters (lobsters) are banned due to high sodium and cholesterol levels. The use of such products is fraught with problems with the kidneys, poisoning, and allergic reactions.

It is not recommended to feed the puppies to a certain age with seafood.